The sports broadcasting world is mourning the loss of one of its most distinctive and respected NFL voices from the end of the 20th century. Former NBC Sports football analyst and longtime broadcaster Bob Trumpy passed away over the weekend at age 80, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that spanned decades across football, the Olympics, and golf coverage.
Bob Trumpy Worked Some Of Sports TV’s Biggest Events
Trumpy starred in local Cincinnati Radio First
Before he became a national voice for NBC, Trumpy first made his name on the field as a standout tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals for ten seasons garnering two Pro Bowls. After retiring from the NFL, he transitioned into local sports radio in Cincinnati during the 1980s, just as the medium was beginning to boom. The insight, candor, and sharp sense of humor on his nightly talk show quickly made him a fan favorite. That local success eventually led to a life-changing opportunity: a spot on NBC Sports’ NFL coverage in the early 1980s.
Listeners and viewers from that era fondly recall Trumpy’s dynamic partnership with Don Criqui on NBC’s coverage of the NFL on Sundays and NBC Radio’s Monday Night Football coverage for two seasons. That duo became a staple of football fans’ weekends in the 80s, with Trumpy’s deep football knowledge complementing Criqui’s smooth play-by-play delivery.
Together, they called two Super Bowls on NBC radio, before Trumpy’s talents earned him the ultimate promotion to NBC’s #1 television booth, where he teamed up with the legendary Dick Enberg for two more Super Bowls in 1993 and 1994.
His influence and professionalism are being remembered in a special tribute episode of the “Last Word on Sports Media Podcast,” Hear it by clicking play below,
I’m joined by Ken Fang of Awful Announcing and sports broadcast historian Phil De Montmollin to celebrate Trumpy’s storied career and the profound mark he left on NFL fans for over two decades. Together, they reflect on his journey from the gridiron to the broadcast booth—a path that helped shape modern sports commentary.
Personal Remembrances of Trumpy
Ken, Phil and I share personal memories and behind-the-scenes stories that celebrate not just Trumpy’s professionalism, but his character and sense of humor as well. Phil actually got to work a national radio broadcast with Trumpy in the early 2000s and Ken details hearing Trumpy’s night time talk show from Cincinnati on the powerful WLW radio all the way in his home of Providence, RI.
And, Trumpy’s voice wasn’t limited to the gridiron. He became a versatile presence for NBC, lending his expertise and charisma to Olympic coverage starting with the 1988 Seoul games, PGA Tour broadcasts, and even the prestigious Ryder Cup for the USA against Europe. His ability to blend insight while keeping things simple made him a trusted guide for audiences across multiple sports.
Trumpy’s passing reminds of another example of former players who found a second (and at times, bigger) career on radio and television. And, for his work, he was honored with the Pete Rozelle Award and put in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
